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domenica 14 settembre 2014

Italy prepares for flu season

Vaccines available by end of October

(ANSA)
- Rome, September 11 - Italy is preparing for flu season by
introducing vaccines in late October, virologists from the University
of Milan reported on Thursday. "The vaccination season will
officially open in late October, even if the ideal time to get
vaccinated is by the end of November", Fabrizio Pregliasco,
University of Milan virologist and medical superintendent of the
Galeazzi Institute, said.

Three
strains of the flu are expected to hit up to four million Italians
starting in early November but are not predicted to be aggressive as
all three strains are well-known and addressed in the upcoming
vaccine. "The true influenza is characterized by sudden fever,
muscular pains and at least one respiratory symptom", Pregliasco
said, adding that the elderly and people with heart disease and
respiratory illnesses are more susceptible. Experts are also
expecting "cousin" viruses to rebound by the summer season,
which could affect another 6 million Italians.